What were you doing previously and what inspired you to launch your company?
I managed a broadband product line for a large defense contractor, where we leveraged commercial Wi-Fi and cellular technologies in defense and public safety applications. In this role, I monitored commercial vehicular communications standards, collectively known as “vehicle-to-everything” or “V2X”. As these technologies matured, and I saw connected vehicle pilot deployments (including one in Tampa), I decided it was a good time to get involved in this exciting space, which will ultimately transform most aspects of transportation.
What pain point is your company solving? What gets you excited to go to work every day?
There are many applications of connected vehicle technologies, from improving safety to mobility and the environment. Because some of these applications require infrastructure that isn’t deployed yet, we’re initially focusing on driver pain points, such as fuel costs, speed monitoring, and increased traffic due to special events. By delivering real-time information, we can help drivers save money and time, and reduce frustration. As a driver, cyclist, and pedestrian, I’m excited about the benefits of these technologies for all road users.
Name the biggest challenge you faced in the process of launching the company. How did you overcome it?
Probably the biggest challenge was not knowing where to start, and not being able to find any local startup accelerators or incubators for people like me, just starting out. Fortunately, I was able to call on some friends and former colleagues (including Steve Lazaridis at Phonism), who were amazingly helpful by offering advice and making introductions to others. That gave me the confidence to jump in.
Where do you see your company headed next?
We just launched our first MVP, so we’re still in a learning and discovery phase. We’ll see where the market takes us, but I hope to bring on a small full-time team this year to accelerate development and marketing of our first products.
Give us a tactical piece of advice that you’d share with another founder just starting out.
Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. Assess your skills and knowledge, and look for resources to help fill in the gaps!
